Ousmane Dembélé, who won the 2024-2025 Champions League and the 2025 Ballon d’Or with Paris Saint-Germain, was asked by L’Equipe to discuss the possibility of complacency after these major titles. The answer is clear and unequivocal.
Dembélé: “We still have so much to give for Paris Saint-Germain, we have big ambitions with the club.”
“Is there a risk of complacency after winning the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or?”
“No, we are competitors, we want to win again. Especially since, once you taste success like this, you want to keep going. It hasn’t diminished my hunger. We still have so much to give for Paris Saint-Germain, we have big ambitions with the club. I am a competitor, I want to play at the highest level possible, win every match and win many trophies.”
Dembélé: “If you don’t win, if you don’t have that hunger, with Luis Enrique, you’re going to be on the bench.”
Are you hungrier than ever?
“Yes, of course. Because if you don’t win, if you don’t have that hunger, with Luis Enrique, you’re going to be on the bench. Or we’ll sign another player.”
How do you perceive your collective involvement through pressing?
“The coach asked us to do it, especially us, the attackers. Because sometimes we would try, but not really, they would try to play out from the back… He showed us all these videos. As the season progressed, we started pressing together. You see me pressing, but everyone is doing it behind me. Because if I do it alone, we’re doomed. It’s something we have to do and something we will always do. In our style of play, when we press very well, we regain possession of the ball very quickly.”
“The message is crystal clear and clearly comes from coach Luis Enrique, with the full support of the entire club. There are no special privileges or exceptions, and there’s no room for complacency after finally winning the Champions League. Everyone’s mission remains the same: to give their all for the team, to help the team perform at its best. If anyone no longer feels they can embrace this philosophy, they will be replaced. Likewise, if they can no longer meet the required performance standards.
It’s tough, but that’s what top-level sport is all about. There are emotional bonds within a club, of course. But these shouldn’t hinder the team’s success. We have to accept this, and deal with this competition. PSG is very happy to have achieved a major milestone in its history. But there’s no question of resting on our laurels. The ambition and collective spirit remain stronger than ever.”
